The Use of Low-Energy Radial Shockwave in the Treatment of Entrapment Neuropathy of the Medial Calcaneal Nerve: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Medial calcaneal nerve entrapment is a well-recognized cause of heel pain. In addition, the development of an amputation neuroma of the medial calcaneal nerve from prior heel surgery via an open incision on the medial aspect of the heel is a serious common postoperative complication and can be extremely difficult to treat. This preliminary pilot study demonstrates that the use of low-energy extracorporeal shockwave is safe and efficacious in the treatment of this disorder without the morbidity associated with denervation surgery, which would be one of the most common methods to treat this complicated situation. Four patients, 2 with bilateral affectation, for a total of 6 medial calcaneal nerves, had a series of treatments with low-energy radial shockwave with the Swiss DolorClast machine. All 4 patients had improvement in their pain scores, to the point that none elected surgical treatment, and there were no complications.